Michael Jordan’s documentary ‘The Last Dance’ was a huge success with NBA fans, but not everyone was pleased with it. One of those individuals happens to be his longtime teammate.
That individual is Scottie Pippen, who partnered with Jordan during the iconic Bulls dynasty and won six NBA championships alongside him. In an interview excerpt with GQ, the 56-year-old suggested that Jordan’s participation in the documentary aimed to establish himself as superior to LeBron James, with whom he is frequently compared by fans.
“Michael was intent on demonstrating to today’s fans that he was a larger-than-life figure during his era—and still larger than LeBron James, the player many view as his equal, if not superior,” Pippen stated in the GQ excerpt.
“They glorified Michael Jordan while not giving nearly enough praise to me and my esteemed teammates,” Pippen remarked in his book.
“Even in the second episode, which delved into my challenging upbringing and improbable journey to the NBA, the focus quickly reverted back to MJ and his tireless pursuit of victory. I felt like nothing more than a background figure. He labeled me his ‘best teammate of all time,’ in what seemed to be a patronizing manner.”
Pippen also shed light on why ‘The Last Dance’ predominantly spotlighted Jordan, stating, “Michael bore a significant share of the responsibility. He had been given editorial authority over the final product by the producers. The documentary could not have been released without his approval. He was both the star and the director.”
This isn’t the first instance where Pippen has addressed his strained relationship with the 58-year-old Jordan. In a December interview with The Guardian, Pippen discussed his conversations with Jordan regarding his feelings about ‘The Last Dance’ and why he believed it failed to accurately depict the team’s six NBA championships.
“I don’t believe it truly captured the essence of what was achieved in one of basketball’s finest eras, alongside two of the greatest players—and one might even argue, the greatest team ever,” he expressed to the publication.
“I felt those aspects were not adequately highlighted in the documentary,” he added. “It seemed more about Michael’s self-elevation and desire for adulation. I believe it somewhat backfired as people were able to witness the kind of personality traits Michael possessed.”
‘The Last Dance’ documentary was unveiled in 2020, earning acclaim for providing a glimpse into Michael Jordan’s life and career.
